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India vs Afghanistan T20I Series: India and Afghanistan are set to face off in the three-match T20I series which begins on Thursday, January 11 as it also marks the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Both Virat and Rohit haven't been a part of the T20I side since playing the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 against England.

There were several speculations over their future in the shortest format also considering the team's perspective of the combination heading forward ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

There were doubts over the role of both senior campaigners in the marquee tournament but with their return to the side, there seems to be a clarity over the same among the selectors and the team management.

 

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Former chief selector MSK Prasad has also put up his opinion on the return of Virat and Rohit in the T20I side as he backed the decision and is optimistic about the inclusion of the duo in the team for the T20 WC.

"I do understand that Rohit and Virat were given a bit of rest after the South Africa tour. I think that was needed, after a mega event like the ODI World Cup. They needed that kind of a break. So, fortunately, they have had a healthy break and have done reasonably well, the youngsters. See, my opinion is there's absolutely no doubt that Virat and Rohit will be a part of the T20 World Cup, so they should start playing right from this series," Prasad told Star Sports.

Prasad also explained the possible reason for Virat and Kohli not playing the T20I format after the 2022 T20 WC, saying that they wanted to focus on the ODI format heading into the ODI World Cup at home.

"The question arises, why they didn't play after the last T20 World Cup? The reason they didn't play is we were heading towards an ODI World Cup, so we predominantly wanted to focus on ODIs. That's the reason they offered other youngsters who were maybe thinking towards the T20 World Cup.

So that's a wonderful thing from both of them, and even the selectors and team management have got it right. Because if we are heading towards the ODI World Cup, it is better to focus on the ODIs, and we had the WTC also. So they were focusing on test cricket and ODI cricket. Now that we are heading towards a T20, they should be back to action.' he added.

MSK Prasad also spoke on who he thinks may feature in the final squad for the T20 World Cup, he said "I think players like Virat, Rohit, even for that matter, Shami, Bumrah, Siraj, Jadeja, and Hardik, other than those names, there are a few places where I feel players like Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson if KL Rahul is keeping wickets, who is your second keeper? What if Rishabh Pant is fit? What if Ishan Kishan is ready? If we are going to pick him, what order is it?

 

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"So I don't think that we need somebody at the top of the order. We needed someone in the middle order, so if Sanju throws his hat into the selection, all these things will definitely come into the picture. For somebody like Yashasvi Jaiswal or even Shubman Gill, the form will definitely be a factor, he's established but still, these are a few places that will definitely depend on the form they will exhibit in the IPL. So it's important they keep ringing the bell so the selectors have a good headache,' he further added.

It is to be noted that Virat will not be available for the first T20I match against Afghanistan in Mohali as he has opted out of the match.

However, he will be joining the side ahead of the second match and will be available for the remaining two matches.

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